Sometimes it seems like you just can’t win: you doctor gives you a prescription to treat one problem, and the next thing you know you’re experiencing symptoms from taking the drug and you have something else that needs to be corrected. That’s how it can be with some prescription and over-the-counter drugs used for a variety of reasons. Specifically, we’re interested in medications that can cause or contribute to urinary tract and prostate gland problems.
For example, older men who have an enlarged prostate may develop acute urinary retention and incontinence if they take a multicomponent cold or allergy medication that contains alpha-agonists and anticholinergic agents, especially if the drug also contains a nasal decongestant and a nonprescription hypnotic antihistamine.
Prescription drugs used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, anxiety, muscle spasms, and other conditions are also sometimes associated with urinary tract problems. If you are experiencing urinary symptoms talk to your doctor about changing your prescription or, if your symptoms may be related to an over-the-counter drug, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist to see what you can take as a substitute.
Drugs That Can Cause Urinary Problems
The list below is representative and does not include all the drugs that may cause urinary incontinence, urgency, retention, or other urinary tract problems. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking if you are experiencing urinary problems.
Urinary Retention (NIDDK)
Alpha-agonists: pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
Antihistamines: cetirizine (Zyrtec), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fexofenadine (Allegra)
Antispasmodics/anticholinergics: hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Gastrosed, Levbid); oxybutynin (Ditropan, Ditropan XL, Oxytrol), propantheline (Pro-Banthine), tolterodine(Detrol, Detrol LA)
Beta-agonists: isoproterenol (Isuprel)
Calcium channel blockers: amlodipine (Norvasc), nifedipine (Adalat), verapamil (Verelan)
Tricyclic antidepressants: amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Novo-Doxepin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor)
Urinary Incontinence/Leakage
Alpha-antagonists: doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin)
Antipsychotics: haloperidol (Haldol), loxapin (Loxapac)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Zestril), ramipril (Altace)
Antihypertensive drugs: reserpine (Serpasil)
Muscle relaxants: baclofen (Lioresal), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), orphenadrine (Norflex)
Urinary Frequency/Urge
Diuretics: Amiloride (Midamor), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), triamterene (Dyrenium)
